Dallin H. Oaks is an American religious leader, lawyer, educator, and jurist who has played a major role in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dallin H Oaks age is a frequently searched topic because of his exceptionally long public career. Born Dallin Harris Oaks on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, he turned 94 years old on August 12, 2026. He became the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 14, 2025, after decades of service as an apostle, lawyer, professor, university president, and Utah Supreme Court justice.
The story behind Dallin H Oaks age is also a story of perseverance. His childhood included the early death of his father, changes in family circumstances, academic challenges, and a period in which he and his younger siblings lived with their maternal grandparents. Despite these difficulties, he developed an impressive career in law and higher education before entering full-time religious leadership.
Early Life and Family
Birth and Family Background
When discussing Dallin H Oaks age, his birth date is an important starting point. Dallin Harris Oaks was born on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah. His parents were Lloyd E. Oaks and Stella Harris Oaks. Both parents had connections to Brigham Young University, while his father worked as a physician. His mother later became an educator and eventually served in adult education leadership in the Provo School District.
- Dallin H Oaks age at birth: He was born in 1932 and reached age 94 in 2026.
- Father: Lloyd E. Oaks was a physician who died when Dallin was seven.
- Mother: Stella Oaks was an educator who pursued further education after her husband’s death.
- Birthplace: Provo, Utah, United States.
- Family environment: His upbringing was strongly influenced by education, faith, community service, and the values of the Latter-day Saint culture.
- Cultural influence: His family background and religious environment later became important parts of his professional and spiritual life.
Childhood in Utah and Idaho
The circumstances of Dallin H Oaks age seven were especially significant. When Oaks was young, his family lived in Twin Falls, Idaho, after moving there from Provo. His father died of tuberculosis in 1940 at only 37 years old. The loss created major changes for the family.
After his father’s death, Stella Oaks experienced a period of serious difficulty and was temporarily unable to continue her normal responsibilities. Dallin and his two younger siblings lived with their maternal grandparents in Payson, Utah, before eventually returning to live with their mother. These experiences gave him an early understanding of responsibility, family hardship, and resilience.
- At age 7: Dallin lost his father.
- During childhood: He and his siblings spent time living with their maternal grandparents.
- Later upbringing: His mother returned to teaching and provided for the family.
- Education: His early schooling included time in Twin Falls and later Utah communities.
- Challenge: The disruption in his family life affected his concentration at school.
- Long-term effect: The experience contributed to the emphasis he later placed on family, education, service, and perseverance.
Parents and Siblings
The story of Dallin H Oaks age cannot be separated from his family background. His father, Lloyd, was a doctor, and his mother, Stella, was an educator. Official Church biographical material describes Stella as an important influence on her son’s development, particularly after the death of his father.
Oaks had two younger siblings. His younger brother Merrill C. Oaks also became a prominent leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Growing up with siblings while facing the loss of their father created a strong family bond.
Early Interests
An interesting part of Dallin H Oaks age during his teenage years was his interest in radio. His first job involved sweeping a radio repair shop, but the experience developed into a genuine interest in broadcasting and electronics.
Before turning 16, he obtained a radio operator’s license. He later worked as a radio announcer and engineer and occasionally announced local high-school basketball games while attending college.
This early media experience was notable because his later career became much more closely associated with law, education, and religious communication.
Family Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dallin Harris Oaks |
| Birth date | August 12, 1932 |
| Age in 2026 | 94 |
| Birthplace | Provo, Utah, United States |
| Father | Lloyd E. Oaks, physician |
| Mother | Stella Harris Oaks, educator |
| Siblings | Two younger siblings, including Merrill C. Oaks |
| Childhood locations | Provo, Twin Falls, and other Utah communities |
| Major childhood challenge | Death of his father at age seven |
| Early interest | Radio broadcasting and engineering |
| Religious background | Raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Education
Education became one of the defining elements of Dallin H Oaks age and career. Rather than following the expected path of becoming a doctor like his father, Oaks eventually chose accounting and then law.
According to Church biographical material, Oaks attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1954. He graduated with high honors. At that point, he was approximately 21 years old.
- High school: He completed his secondary education in Utah.
- College: Brigham Young University.
- Undergraduate field: Accounting.
- Graduation: 1954.
- Age at undergraduate graduation: Approximately 21.
- Academic performance: He graduated with high honors.
University of Chicago Law School
After BYU, Oaks attended the University of Chicago Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1957. He was approximately 24 years old when he completed the law degree.
His academic achievements were particularly notable. He became editor-in-chief of the University of Chicago Law Review, one of the most prestigious student positions at the law school. He also received a full-tuition National Honor Scholarship.
The education associated with Dallin H Oaks age therefore progressed rapidly from accounting to advanced legal scholarship.
Academic and Extracurricular Interests
Oaks’s early interest in communication continued alongside his formal education. His radio work helped develop his ability to communicate publicly, while his legal education trained him in analysis, argument, and constitutional issues.
His academic path eventually positioned him for roles that combined law, education, public service, and communication.
Career
The professional history behind Dallin H Oaks age is unusually broad. Before becoming a senior religious leader, Oaks worked in private law, taught at a major law school, led a university, served on the Utah Supreme Court, and participated in public and charitable organizations.
Early Legal Career
After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1957, Oaks became a law clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court. He then worked in private practice in Chicago.
- 1957–1958: Law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren.
- Following clerkship: Practiced law in Chicago.
- Legal specialization: Developed extensive knowledge of constitutional and public law.
- Professional development: Built a reputation as a careful legal scholar.
- Academic transition: Moved into law teaching.
- Long-term impact: His legal background later influenced his public speaking and writings.
University of Chicago Law Professor
From 1961 to 1971, Oaks taught at the University of Chicago Law School. During this period, he established himself as a respected legal academic.
At a relatively young age, he was already combining scholarship, teaching, and public service. His academic career also gave him experience communicating complex ideas to large groups of students.
President of Brigham Young University
One of the biggest milestones associated with Dallin H Oaks age came when he became president of Brigham Young University in 1971. He held the position until 1980.
He was approximately 39 years old when he became university president. The appointment represented a significant leadership achievement because BYU is one of the largest institutions associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
During his presidency, Oaks focused on academic and institutional development and represented the university in public life.
Utah Supreme Court Justice
In 1980, Oaks became a justice of the Utah Supreme Court. He served until 1984, when he resigned following his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
At approximately 48 years old, he had reached one of the highest legal positions in his home state.
His judicial experience later became an important part of his public identity, especially when addressing questions involving law, religious liberty, constitutional rights, and society.
Call as an Apostle
In 1984, at about age 51, Oaks was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He had been serving as a Utah Supreme Court justice when he accepted the religious calling.
This marked the transition from a primarily legal and academic career to decades of full-time religious leadership.
Leadership in the Church
Oaks served in numerous international and administrative assignments. Among the major milestones was his service presiding over the Church’s Philippines Area from 2002 to 2004.
In 2018, he became president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and first counselor in the First Presidency under President Russell M. Nelson.
President of the Church
The most significant recent development in Dallin H Oaks age is his appointment as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
On October 14, 2025, Dallin H. Oaks was set apart as the 18th President of the Church, succeeding Russell M. Nelson. He was 93 at the time.
By 2026, at age 94, he had accumulated one of the longest and most varied careers among modern leaders of the Church.
Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Birth | Born August 12 in Provo, Utah |
| 1940 | Childhood loss | Father died when Oaks was seven |
| 1954 | BYU graduation | Earned accounting degree with high honors |
| 1957 | Law degree | Graduated from University of Chicago Law School |
| 1957–58 | Supreme Court clerk | Clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren |
| 1961–71 | Law professor | Taught at University of Chicago Law School |
| 1971–80 | BYU president | Led Brigham Young University |
| 1980–84 | Utah Supreme Court | Served as a justice |
| 1984 | Apostle | Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
| 2002–04 | Philippines Area | Presided over the Church’s Philippines Area |
| 2018 | Senior Church leadership | Became President of the Quorum of the Twelve and First Counselor |
| 2025 | Church President | Set apart as the 18th President of the Church |
| 2026 | Age 94 | Continues serving as Church President |
Relationships and Controversies
First Marriage
The personal life of Dallin H Oaks age includes two marriages. He met June Dixon while he was a college student and was announcing high-school basketball games. They married on June 24, 1952, in the Salt Lake Temple.
June and Dallin had six children. Their family remained an important part of his life during his legal, academic, and religious careers.
June Dixon Oaks died on July 21, 1998, after cancer.
Second Marriage
On August 25, 2000, Oaks married Kristen M. McMain in the Salt Lake Temple. The marriage followed the death of his first wife.
Kristen has accompanied Oaks in many aspects of his public and religious service.
Children and Family
Oaks and his first wife, June, had six children. Among his children is Jenny Oaks Baker, a professional violinist, and Dallin D. Oaks, a linguistics scholar associated with Brigham Young University.
Church material has also highlighted the size of his extended family. A 2022 profile reported that he had six children, 29 grandchildren, and 53 great-grandchildren at that time.
Public Controversies
Because Oaks has served as a senior religious leader and previously worked as a judge and legal scholar, some of his public statements have attracted debate. His positions on religion, constitutional law, family, sexuality, religious freedom, and public policy have sometimes generated strong reactions.
It is important to distinguish documented public statements and policy positions from unverified online rumors. The search for Dallin H Oaks age sometimes produces speculation about his personal life or finances, but reliable biographical sources provide much stronger evidence for his career and family history than for unsupported internet claims.
Public Perception
Supporters generally view Oaks as an experienced religious leader with an unusually strong legal and academic background. His supporters frequently point to his decades of Church service and previous work as a law professor, university president, and Supreme Court justice.
Critics have focused on some of his public positions and statements. His long career means that public opinion about him varies considerably depending on religious, political, legal, and cultural perspectives.
Net Worth
A frequently searched question alongside Dallin H Oaks age is his net worth. However, there is an important limitation: there is no reliable, official public figure establishing Dallin H. Oaks’s personal net worth.
Unlike publicly traded company executives, he does not routinely publish a personal balance sheet showing investments, real estate, savings, or other assets. Therefore, websites that provide precise dollar amounts should be treated cautiously unless they provide verifiable documentation.
Sources of Professional Income
Oaks’s professional history has included several fields:
- Legal practice.
- Academic employment at the University of Chicago.
- Leadership at Brigham Young University.
- Judicial service on the Utah Supreme Court.
- Writing and publishing.
- Service on boards and organizations.
- Religious leadership.
His financial history should not be confused with the finances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church assets are institutional assets and are not automatically personal assets belonging to its president.
Net Worth Table
| Category | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated personal net worth | Not reliably established publicly |
| Legal career | Former attorney and legal scholar |
| Academic career | Former University of Chicago law professor |
| University leadership | Former BYU president |
| Judicial career | Former Utah Supreme Court justice |
| Religious leadership | President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Investments | No comprehensive verified public breakdown |
| Real estate | No complete verified public valuation |
| Publicly confirmed total assets | Not available |
For SEO purposes, it is tempting to give a specific number for Dallin H Oaks net worth, but doing so without reliable evidence would be misleading. The safest conclusion is that his personal net worth is not publicly verified.
Other Ventures
The professional life surrounding Dallin H Oaks age extends beyond his formal positions. His work has included writing, speaking, educational leadership, board service, and public communication.
Writing and Publications
Oaks has authored or co-authored numerous books and articles dealing with legal and religious subjects. His writing reflects his dual background as a lawyer and religious leader.
Public Speaking
As a senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oaks has spoken regularly at general conferences and other Church events. The Church describes him as someone who communicates with members around the world and addresses congregations across multiple continents.
Educational Leadership
His presidency of BYU remains one of the most significant non-religious leadership positions in his biography. His experience in higher education gave him an opportunity to influence academic administration and institutional development.
Board and Civic Service
Oaks has served as an officer or board member of business, educational, charitable, and public organizations. His biographical record also includes service as chairman of the board of the Public Broadcasting Service.
Recognition
In 2013, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded Oaks the Canterbury Medal for what it described as courage in defending religious liberty.
These activities help explain why searches for Dallin H Oaks age often lead to broader interest in his legal, educational, religious, and public-service career.
Charitable Work
Charitable and community service has been a recurring theme throughout Oaks’s career. Although he is best known today for religious leadership, his biography includes involvement with educational and charitable organizations.
Service Through Religious Leadership
Much of Oaks’s later service has involved ministering to Church members internationally. The Church’s official biography describes his work with people across continents and his participation in worldwide religious instruction.
Educational Service
His role as president of BYU connected him with a major educational institution. His broader board service also included educational and charitable organizations.
Religious Liberty
Religious liberty has been a particularly important area of his public work. His legal background influenced his interest in constitutional protections and the relationship between religious freedom and public life.
Community Influence
Oaks’s public service demonstrates how his career moved through several forms of leadership: education, law, government, religion, and community organizations.
Recognition for Service
The Canterbury Medal awarded to him in 2013 is one example of outside recognition for his work related to religious liberty.
International Ministry
His service in the Philippines Area and later worldwide Church responsibilities also demonstrate the international nature of his work.
Dallin H Oaks Age in 2026
As of August 21, 2026, Dallin H Oaks age is 94. He was born on August 12, 1932, meaning he celebrated his 94th birthday nine days before the current date.
His age is particularly notable because his career spans several generations. He experienced the transformation of American higher education, practiced law during major constitutional debates, served on a state supreme court, became a senior religious leader in 1984, and eventually became president of his Church in 2025.
At 94, he represents one of the most experienced figures in the modern history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
FAQ Section
How old is Dallin H. Oaks in 2026?
Dallin H. Oaks is 94 years old in 2026. He was born on August 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, and celebrated his 94th birthday on August 12, 2026.
Who is Dallin H. Oaks married to / in a relationship with?
Dallin H. Oaks is married to Kristen M. McMain. They married on August 25, 2000, in the Salt Lake Temple. His first wife, June Dixon Oaks, died on July 21, 1998.
What is Dallin H. Oaks’s net worth?
There is no reliably verified public figure for Dallin H. Oaks’s personal net worth. Online estimates should therefore be treated cautiously because a complete personal asset disclosure is not publicly available.
What does Dallin H. Oaks do for a living?
Dallin H. Oaks is the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before becoming Church President, he was an apostle, Utah Supreme Court justice, Brigham Young University president, law professor, and attorney.
Does Dallin H. Oaks have any children?
Yes. Dallin H. Oaks and his first wife, June Dixon Oaks, had six children. His children include linguistics professor Dallin D. Oaks and violinist Jenny Oaks Baker.
Conclusion
The story of Dallin H Oaks age is much more than a number. At 94 in 2026, his life reflects decades of education, legal service, academic leadership, family experiences, and religious responsibility. His journey from a difficult childhood to the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a notable example of long-term service and perseverance.
For anyone researching Dallin H Oaks age, his biography ultimately shows how education, resilience, and a commitment to public service can shape an extraordinary career.